Parachute harness



May 9, 1939. F. SMI TH PARACHUTE HARNESS Original Filed March 31, 1937 ATTORN Patented May 9, 1939 PATENT OFFICE PARACHUTE HARNESS Floyd Smith, Bufialo, N. Y., assignor to Irving Air Chute Co. Inc., Buffalo, N. Y., a corporation Original application March 31, 1937, Serial No. 134,109. Divided and this application January 7, 1938, Serial ,No. 183,923

4 Claims. (Cl. 244-451) This invention relates to improvements in parachute harnesses.

The present application is a division of my copending application, Ser. No. 134,109, filed March 5 31, 1937, now Patent 2,130,569.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent during the course of the following detailed description.

In the accompanying drawing forming a part of this specification, and whereinsimilar reference characters designate corresponding parts throughout the several views,

Figure 1 shows the improved parachute apparatus includingan improved harness and soft pack in releasably coupled relation with each other upon a wearer.

Figure 1 is a perspective view of the improved soft packfwith part of the pocket cut away to snow the rip cord construction.

Figure 1 is an enlarged sectional view taken through a portion of the .rip cord and handle construction.

Figure 2 is a perspective view of the improved harness.

Figure 3 is a fragmentary sectional -view showing the complementary coupling parts of the pack and harness and the relative construction and assemblage thereof.

In the drawing, wherein similar reference characters designate corresponding parts throughout the several views, the letter A may generally designate a form of harness with which the improved soft pack 13 may be used.

The improved harness A is of the multiple release type, although some characteristics thereon may be adaptable for use with the single point quick release type such as shown in U. S. Patent #l,899,656. In the main it comprises a body supporting sling 20, consisting of a double thickness of webbing. These thicknesses are stitched together and provide a seat portion 23 upon which the wearer sits during a parachute descent. Side riser portions 24 and 25 extend from the seat portion and comprise part of the sling.

4 They continue upwardly to provide shoulder straps 26 and 21, and the latter extend downwardly to provide crossed back straps 28 and 29. The double thickness of webbing of the supporting sling ends at the crossing point of the back 32 and 33 of the back straps.

In each of the back straps 28 and 29 adjacent to the connections 32 and 33 there is provided an adjustment for the back strap. This adjustment consists of providing an adapter 35 in each of the back straps, secured to a small looped portion 5 of the back strap, which is the portion directly connected with the sling. The ends 31 of the back straps 28 and 29 are secured through these adapters in an adjustable relation (see Figure 2 of the drawing). 10

The back straps 28 and 29 extend beyond their connecting points 32 and 33 on the riser webs of the supporting sling, in a forward direction, and are then turned back and stitched at on the ends of the seat strap of the sling at a location 15 below the points 32 and 33. This provides strap loops 42 and 43 on the supporting sling at each riser web 24 and 25, on which leg strap coupling parts 46 are secured. They may be either coupling rings or snap fasteners, as desired. The 20 the seat strap 23 and having coupling parts 50 thereon for complementary association with the coupling parts 46 above mentioned. These leg straps each having an adjustment therein, of well known construction.

It will be noted from Figure 2 of the drawing 35 that the inner layer or thickness of the supporting sling terminates at the shoulder straps and that the back straps 28 and 29 from the shoulder st tching point 60, shown in Figure 2, com.- prise a layer which is extended forwardly at each 40 of the riser webs, to provide the breast straps 6'3 and 64 which relatively converge towards each other and are permanently connected at locations 10 on the riser webs above the stitch locations On these loose breast straps 63 and 64 are disposed complementary coupling parts 13.

Pack coupling rings 15 and 16 are permanently secured in .a definitely fixed relation upon the riser webs 24 and 25 respectively, at a location immediately above the breast strap connections 10. These couplings are preferably rings, and they outstand normal to the plane of the riser webs on which they are located; the connection being such that at all times they will outstand in this relation to facilitate connection of the pack coupling parts thereto. Stiflening loo s I8 are secured to the riser webs in a stitched relation beiow.the coupling parts IS in order to stiffen the riser webs at this location and thus facilitate the applicationoi' the coupling parts of the,

pack to the coupling parts I5. These straps I8 also form loops thru which the coupling parts I are connected,'as shown in Figure 3.

Referring to the soft pack B, the same includes a flexible sheet-like container C which houses a parachute canopy. As set forth in my above identified parent application the canopy is provided with the usual suspension straps having the couplings I04 attached thereto; the suspension straps being designated at I02 in Figure 3 of the drawing. These couplings are preferably of the snap variety and are adapted for connection with the complementary coupling parts I5 and I6 in order to connect the pack B to the harness.

The container of the pack B is provided with a bodyportion having flaps II3 which opento permit exodus of the parachute canopy, and the pack container is additionally provided with a handle I40, shown in Figure 1.

As is shown in Figure 3 of the drawing each of the snap fastener couplings I04 is provided with an aperture stud I30 thereon. The container is provided with eyelets I3I thru which these studs I30 extend. Each suspension web I 02 of the canopy is provided with a flexible wire pin I38 adapted to extend thru-the aperture of the stud I30 when the latter is projected into the pack. This holds the coupling I04 externally in a fixed relation upon the container, when the latter is packed, so that when a wearer desires to apply the pack upon the harness it is not necessary to fumble with the coupling parts. Reversal of the coupling parts on the harness and pack may be made if so desired, without departing from the spirit of this invention or the scope of the claims.

As shown in Figure 1' of the drawing a wire rip cord I50 is provided, having the usual retaining wire pins thereon for extension thru the apertures of the studs I45, in order to hold the grommets on the studs and the container closed with the canopy packed therein. ,'The end flap H3 'is provided with a pocket I53 adapted, as shown in Figure 1 of the drawing, to house a rip cord handle I54. The latter is provided with a base bar I55 having a central opening I55 through which the rip cord I50 is slidable. The rip cord I50 at one end is provided with a stud I56 to prevent displacement of the rip cord from the handle I54, and at the opposite side of the base bar I55 the rip cord I50 is prevented from detachment from the handle by means of the retaining pins above described. The reason for slidably extending the rip cord I50 on the base bar I55 is to prevent premature release opening of the parachute pack due to eccentricities in packing or variances in usual packing dimensions. As shown in Figure 1*, when the pack is in closed condition the handle I50 is located in the pocket I53 and with the retaining'pins of the rip cord in positionin the apertures 01 the studs the re taining lug I50 on the end of the rip' cord I50 is still spaced an inch or more from the base bar I55. This distance enables a length play of the rip cord I50 suiilcient to take care of all discrepancies during packing. Thus there will be no liability of premature release or opening of the pack, due to improper length of the rip cord or improper positioning of the handle in its pocket.

Various changes in the shape, size, and arrangement of parts may be made to the form of sling, breast straps connected with the riser portions adjacent the shoulder of a wearer and extending freely forwardly in looped relation and each connected with the adjacent side riser portions of the sling adjacent to the normal waist of a wearer, and definitely fixed and located coupling members connected with each of the riser portions of the harness at a location above Where the breast straps are connected with said riser portions.

2. Parachute harness comprising a U-shaped supporting sling including a seat portion and riser webs, back strap means connected with the sling, breast straps connected with the riser portions adjacent the shoulder of a wearer and extending freely forwardly in looped relation and each connected with the adjacent side riser portions of the sling adjacent to the normal waist of a wearer, definitely fixed and located coupling members connected with each of the riser portions of the harness at a-location above where.

the breast straps are connected with said riser portions, and means stiffening the riser portions at a location below said coupling members.

3. In parachute harness the combinatiorrof a suspension'sling including a seat and side riser portions, other body attaching straps connected with said sling, coupling members connected in definitely fixed outstanding relation upon the riser portions at the front of the wearer, and means stiffening the riser portions of the harness immediately below said coupling members in order to facilitate the attachment of coupling members of a pack with the coupling members of the harness. I

4. Parachute harness comprising a U-shaped supporting sling including a seat portion and riser webs, back strap means connected with the sling, breast straps connected with the riser portions adjacent the shoulder of a wearer and extending freely forwardly in looped relation and each connected with the adjacent side riser portions of the sling adjacent to the normal waist of a wearer, and definitely fixed and located coupling members connected with each of the riser portions of the harness at a location above where the breast straps are connected with said riser portions and in transverse outstanding relation with respect to the portions of the harness on which they are located.

FLOYD SMITH. 

